Free: Contests & Raffles.
I would apply in a unit that you can hire an outfitter in.Have said guide haul your a$$ up to a tent on a horse and then walk a ridge.Just my 2 cents.
This is something that people don't like to talk about but kind of needs talked about. I think so many guys aren't honest with themselves about their physical abilities. At some point people need to call it on applying for these type of hunts (not saying you specifically kk, just a general statement). These are very special hunts. Hunts 99.9% of us will never hunt in our lifetimes, so I urge everyone to self reflect on their own capabilities and if you think you can tackle it go for it and if you are lucky enough to draw, do the tag the justice they deserve. Put in the work. Shoot, get in shape, and scout. And if need be solicite help from others. I'd be willing to bet a decent percentage of applicants have no business applying for goat tags from a physical stand point. I'm not familiar with any of the northern goat units but as for the yakima area they are all pretty darn physical. I wouldn't put any one easier than the others.
Boulder River North would be my guess. Drew the tag in 2016, walked the trail to Goat Flats on Three fingers and shot a near nine inch Billy. Having a trail to work from really helps! I did spent a few months dieting and stair climbing so that helped. I was 47 at the time and it really kicked my ass, even after working out. I did it solo and it took nine hours to get back to my truck on the pack out. Had to drop equipment halfway was just too much, my pack was over 100 pounds, and I was hand carrying a bag of stuff that would not fit on, or in my pack.Biggest thing I would do different is spend more on a bigger pack, and use walking sticks. When I went back a couple days later to retrieve my gear I brought them along and was a huge improvement getting up the trail.
Chasing goats was the most physically demanding and mentally exhausting experience of my life. I made my piece with the potential for dying a swift death (gravity, rock) on day one. The next six days didn't get any easier. It's one thing to look at them from steady footing, it's another to actually get to the business of hunting them. I thought I was really, really ready...I wasn't. If you think you aren't ready...you really aren't.